Emelina Hernandez

A Peruvian civil engineer who designed South America's first electrified railway system to connect remote Andean communities.

Engineering Innovation

Emelina Hernandez (1908–1975) became Peru's first female civil engineer after graduating top of her class from the National University of Engineering in 1932. She led the 1940s construction of the Central Andean Railway, integrating solar-powered stations and landslide-resistant tracks. Her 1947 'Mountain Mobility' blueprint was adopted by the Pan-American Railway Commission.

Social Impact

Hernandez's 1955 'Engineering for Equity' manifesto argued that infrastructure projects must prioritize marginalized communities. Her design of the Lima Metro Line 1 included wheelchair-accessible platforms 20 years before international standards. The Emelina Hernandez Medal now honors Latin American engineering pioneers.